George Benson Quartet - The Cookbook (1966) [Jazz][mp3 320][scho

George Benson Quartet - The George Benson Cookbook
Year: 1966
Label: Columbia (2001, 24-bit digitally remastered)
Total time: 52:29
Quality: 320 kbps

The second of Benson's John Hammond-produced albums is far and away the superior of the pair, mixing down-to-basics, straight-ahead jazz with soul-drenched grooving. Suddenly Benson's backup group - same as that of Uptown, with Benny Green added on trombone now and then - has found its bearings and apropos to the title, they can cook, even sizzle. The effect upon Benson's own playing is striking; with something to react against, his sheer ability to swing advances into the realm of awesome. The rapid-fire work on "The Cooker" and "Ready And Able" will make you gasp. Only one vocal here, an exuberant "All Of Me." [ In mid-2001 Columbia/Legacy reissued this 1966 classic, along with It's Uptown, recorded only several months earlier. Four bonus tracks include a (previously unreleased) doo wop vocal rendition of Little Willie John's "Let Them Talk" and two Benson originals that are pure rock-n-roll: "The Man from Toledo" and "Goodnight. " Two of the bonus cuts are preceded by control-booth comments from the session's legendary producer, John Hammond. ] ~ Richard S. Ginell, AMG

Personnel:
George Benson (Guitar and Vocal)
Lonnie Smith (Organ)
Ronnie Cuber (Baritone Saxophone)
Bill Kaye (Drums) - 2-4,7,10,13
Marion Booker (Drums) - 1,5,6,9,11,14
Jimmy Lovelace (Drums) - 8,12
Bennie Green (Trombone) - 2-4,7,10,13
Al Hall (Trombone) - 2-4,7,10,13
Albert Winston (Fender Bass) - 1-7,9,10,13
Lenny Seed (Congas) - 2-4,7,13
King Curtis (Tenor Saxophone) - 9,11,14
Blue Mitchell (Trumpet) - 11,14

Tracks:
01 The Cooker (George Benson) 4:20
02 Benny's Back (George Benson) 4:15
03 Bossa Rocka (George Benson) 4:35
04 All Of Me (Gerald Marks/Seymour Simons) 2:15
05 Big Fat lady (George Benson) 4:46
06 Benson's Rider (George Benson) 5:39
07 Ready and Able (Jimmy Smith) 3:35
08 The Borgia Stick (George Benson) 3:11
09 Return Of The Prodigal Son (Harold Ousley) 2:40
10 Jumpin' With Symphony Sid (Lester Young) 6:34

Bonus tracks:
11 The Man from Toledo (George Benson) 2:09
12 Slow Scene (George Benson) 3:12
13 Let Them Talk (Little Willie John) 2:52
14 Goodnight (George Benson) 2:21